The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1887-12-31
COAL MIN ES


ority to the product of other fields
For many years mining has been eX-
tensively carried on by several compa'
nies and by individuals, which indus
try has given employment to a large
number of people. The cheapness o1
fuel is one of the inducements held out
to manufacturers to cause them tC
locate here. This fact has already led
to the establishment of several prosper
ons and extensive concerns which are
i credit to the city, and without doubt
with the opening up of new railroads
and the attraction OF outside capital
this city will become an important
manufacturing point.
Coal is found al an average depth Of
l25 feet under the highest portion OF
the city, and at the edges of the bluffs
crops out, so that il is very easily mini
ed. Most of the mining was at first
done by shafts, but now the coal is
nearly all taken out by
DRIFT MINING.
from the side of the cliffs. The vein
ranges in thickness from Is TO 26 inches,
the average being about % inches. II
is calculated that about 10000 bushels
are produced TO the acre.
There are about a dozen companies
and small proprletors who operate
mines in the vicinity. Their mines are
both east and west of the city
and few are south ofus. The princi-
pal ones are those operated by the
Lexington Coal Mining Co., and by j.
G. McGrew. The former company
ships its coal to Kansas, Nebraska and
other western points principally.
These mines give employment to over
900 hands, most of whom have fami-
lies and who do all their trading in this
city. Over $4,000 is distributed
among these employees monthly, and
this amount adds materially to the sup
poGt OF our business interests. The
value of this monthly distribution OF
such large amount of cash can not be
for it raises Lexington
from the rank of cities dependent on the
agricultural region surrounding them
for trade aud places it among those
which possess the happy combination
of agricultural, mining and manufac
turing resources. Lexington has the
advantage of three
RAILWAY SYSTEMS
beside the line of steam packets which
ply up and down the Missouri rive
for the transportation of freights. Ii
1858 he ST. Louis & Wabash road wa
completed TO point Within thre,
miles of the city, north of the river
f a Eumber of years this road afford
ed the only railroad connection will
the east, all freight shipped in its car
being brought across the river by ferry
The Lexington u St. Joseph road
built in 1869 TO the north bank of til,
river, connects with the Wabash, s.
that the latter line virtually has sta
lion at this point ami does large pro
portion of business here. The st
Joseph road is operated in first clas
style and is valuable acquisition t
the railroad facilities OF Lexington
Hon. Robert A. Hicklin, member @
the legislature, is the agent of the roa
in This city.
In 1871 the Missouri Pacific branc
was bull. from Lexington to Sedaiis
and in 1876 another branch of the sam
great system gave us a direct cOnnet
lion with Kansas City. This gives Il
Il through route from Kansas City t
St. Louis, decided advantage fo
both passenger and freight traffic. Nj
Oscar Steers is the Missouri Pacif
agent here. Two passenger trains ru
daily III each direction through lie.
ing on this road, convenient tor pa
sengers and for the eastern aud we
tern mails.
Another line of the
MISSOURI PACIFIC
system is now being constructed fro
this city to st. Louis which, whe
completed will be the main line of tn
road across the state. 1t has alreaG
been completed to point near MAJ
shall. and work is being rapidly pust
ed eastward, making its complete
probable early in IS. The work c
this road ia pronounced by railrOs
men to he o .e of the finest pieces
railroading in the country. The roa
bed is very wide, and when the wol
of ballasting is completed it cannot
surpassed in smoOthness. The grad
will all he under 10 feet, whereas {
the present line they are as high as l,
feet. There is no doubt but that Il
principal travel across the state W
pass over this line, and consequent
through Lexington, which will lie Oh
oi the most important points on Il
route. Trains between st. Louis al
Kansas City will make the distance
81 hours.
The influence OF this new road
already isli by cur merchants in Il
increase e trade, showing what will
its effect when in tull Operatio
Much Of the trade which former
went TO Marshall and other cities ca
Of Us will be attracted here. This sc
Ties forever the county seat questio
which boon has been Gag, rly covet,
by cities nearer to the center of 4
county than Lexington. Any disa
van'ages of location are overbalanc
10y the railroad facilities and uopuI
ton of The shire town.
For several years there has be,
some talk 0i Il
ROAD yEOM sEDALIA
: TO Lexington to connect with the s
; Joseph and Lexington road which W
; probably be accomplished when
: importance is fully realized Anoth
project which is more certain of #
, filueut is IA road from here to Odes
to connect with the Chicago IL Alt,
for the more extensive development
our coal fields. The road bed is /;
ready graded and will be irOned
private enterprise without doubt al
probably at 10 distant date III
would afford an immense advantage
I. the competition of freight rates fro
81. Louis and Kansas CITY.
) Added TO these transportation faci
, ties afforded by land routes is the Iia
ural route presented by the Nilsson
river. y regular line of packets y
up and down the stream, beside Il
Terry which crosses the river TT
REGULATES the cost Of frcights by ra
because il merchants cannot make co
tracts tor transportation at reasonat
rates through the year, they transpo
their goods by water in the SUNNI
; season and thus Outwit the railro,
companies. AS Il railroad center lie
ington is assuming commanding p
si,ion and this is one of the factu
,, which greatly aid us in the growth
our city.
An organization which has for
object the upbuilding of the city a
, the encouragement of all
MANUFACTUHING ENTERPRISES
l. the business mems association, (
: members OF which include most of O
: prominent citizens. A disposition h
} been shown by this association to 8
tract !ithrr All manufacturing cOncer
!. !